Kamal Nath seeks extensive rail network in MP

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) Ahead of operationalising the 90 billion dollar Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project along the dedicated rail freight corridor between the two metros, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath today sought extensive and quality rail network along its 1,483 km route.

The Union Cabinet had given its in-principle approval to the ambitious project in August, a month after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between India and Japan. Japan has reportedly committed 10 billion dollar investment in the first phase of the project likely to commence early next year.

After having included Madhya Pradesh in the DMIC, which was originally slotted to pass through six states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra, Mr Nath today called for development of rail networks, especially in Madhya Pradesh. The Minister's constituency of Chhindrwara falls in Madhya Pradesh.

In a communication to Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, he argued the case for a rail network in Madhya Pradesh, saying that the rail route kilometer length is much less in Madhya Pradesh than in neighbouring states.

He urged his railway counterpart to sanction the works for their expeditious completion so that the prestigious DMIC project gets on stream as per schedule and benefits stakeholders.

He sought early commencement of work on the Indore-Dhar-Chotta Udaipur route to improve connectivity of Madhya Pradesh's commercial city of Indore and of Shajapur-Dewas regions through Vadodara and Mumbai. This broad-gauge line should be completed for benefitting the entire West and South Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The Commerce Minister also sought expeditious completion of new broad gauge line from Indore to Dahod, saying it will improve connectivity of the Pithampur-Dahod-Mhow-mega industrial region near Indore to the Western ports in Gujarat. Such linkage will also improve connectivity to the Shajapur-Dewas industrial regions, which are proposed to be taken up during the second phase of the DMIC project, he added.

Calling for broad gauge link between Indore and Khandwa, Mr Nath said the survey should be completed early and work sanctioned for providing faster connectivity from Indore to Hyderabad as well as to Mumbai via Khandwa and Bhusawal.

UNI